Current Affairs Quiz 29 & 30 December 2024 MCQ with Answers
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This current affairs quiz includes recent questions and answers. You can attempt it as a daily MCQ quiz for UPSC.
In our daily current affairs quiz, we strive to cover a variety of sources, including Vision IAS Daily Current Affairs, PIB, and newspapers such as the Indian Express, The Hindu, and The Economic Times.
Topics covered in 29th-30th December 2024 Current Affairs Quiz
| Transformative Change Report | Marine Heat Waves | ANEEL |
| Ground-level ozone | Black Sea | SAAR-Sameeksha Series |
| PM-ABHIM | Fishing Cat | Exercise Surya Kiran |
| 38 parallel |
Q1. A report titled “Assessment Report on the Underlying Causes of Biodiversity Loss and the Determinants of Transformative Change and Options for Achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity” was recently released by
(A). IUCN
(B). UNEP
(C). IPBES
(D). IPCC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, IPBES released a report titled “Transformative Change.”
What is IPBES?
- IPBES, in full form, is the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, established in 2012 for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, human well-being, and sustainable development. It comprises 150 member governments.
- It is not a UN body, but UNEP provides secretariat services.
Is India a member?
- Yes, India is a founding member of IPBES.
What is Transformative Change?
- It represents a fundamental shift in views, structure, and practices across the system.
- Four principles to guide transformative change are equity and justice, pluralism and inclusion, respect and reciprocal human-nature relationships, and adaptive learning and action.
Five Key Strategies Recommended for Transformative Change for Global Sustainability
- Conserve, restore and regenerate places of value like Community-based Forest Management in India.
- Implement strategic changes in sectors that contribute to the decline of nature, such as fisheries, agriculture, and urban development.
- Transform economic systems to prioritise nature and equity; for example, over 50% of annual global GDP relies moderately to highly on nature.
- Shift views to acknowledge the human-nature interconnectedness.
- Transform the governance system to be more inclusive and accountable.
Q2. With reference to Marine Heat Waves (MHWs), consider the following statements:
(1). They can lead to coral bleaching and damage to marine ecosystems.
(2). They may increase the frequency of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters.
(3). MHWs can contribute to enhanced carbon sequestration in the ocean due to increased phytoplankton growth.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 & 2 only
(B). 2 & 3 only
(C). 1 & 3 only
(D). 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Context: According to a study, from 2014 to 2016, Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) led to the loss of four million seabirds in Alaska.
What are Marine Heat Waves (MHWs)?
- They are extreme weather events that occur when the sea surface temperature in a specific region rises by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
- They could last for weeks, months or even years.
Main drivers of MHWs
- Surface heat flux when a high-pressure system sits above a region of water for an extended period.
- Warm ocean currents accumulate warm water.
Potential impacts of MHWs
Shifting of species to cooler water.
- A toxic algal bloom is caused by higher temperatures and deoxygenation. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- Extreme weather events like tropical storms and cyclones.
- Ecosystem disruption by mass killing of habitat forming species like kelp and corals.
- MHWs generally reduce carbon sequestration efficiency because they can harm phytoplankton, which is crucial for carbon uptake. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life):
(1). It is a Thorium-based fuel used for pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs).
(2). It combines thorium with small amounts of enriched uranium.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, NTPC Limited and the US-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) signed a strategic agreement to explore the development and deployment of ANEEL.
What is ANEEL?
- ANEEL stands for Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life.
- It is a thorium-based fuel developed by CCTE and used in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
- It combines thorium with a small amount of enriched uranium.
Expected advantages of ANEEL Fuel
- Utilisation of thorium as a fuel in PHWRs.
- Non-weaponizable due to thorium content.
- Waste reduction resulting from high burnup fuel performance.
- Cost savings due to fewer fuel replacements.
About Thorium
- It is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that exists in Th-232 isotope.
- Monazite is the most common thorium source, with a high concentration in placer deposits.
- India holds the world’s largest thorium reserves, with 11.93 million tonnes of monazite, which contains 1.07 million tonnes of thorium.
Q4. With reference to ground-level ozone (GLO) or tropospheric ozone, consider the following statements:
(1). It is primarily formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
(2). It benefits human health and vegetation by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation.
(3). It acts as a greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 & 2 only
(B). 2 & 3 only
(C). 1 & 3 only
(D). 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, NGT has notified the Centre about Delhi’s higher ozone level.
What is ground-level ozone (GLO)?
- It is a temporary secondary pollutant created when nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in sunlight. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- Various sources of precursor pollutants include vehicular emissions, the agriculture sector, fossil fuel power plants, etc.
- The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for GLOs established by the CPCB are set at 100 μg/m3 for an 8-hour average and 180 μg/m3 for a 1-hour limit.
Harmful impacts of GLO
- Globally, it causes 1 million premature deaths annually.
- It acts as a greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- It reduces crop productivity and plant carbon uptake, impedes growth, etc. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
Q5. Name the country that recently declared a federal emergency after an oil spill along the Black Sea coast.
(A). Russia
(B). Ukraine
(C). Turkey
(D). Romania
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Context: Russia has recently declared a federal-level emergency after an oil spill near the Kerch Strait released thousands of tons of heavy oil into the sea.
Q6. SAAR-Sameeksha Series is related to the assessment of
(A). Solar Rooftop Yojna
(B). Smart Cities Mission
(C). Impact of AI on the financial sector
(D). National Supercomputing Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context:
IIM Banglore has conducted two studies under the SAAR-Sameeksha Series of Smart Cities Mission, highlighting women’s safety and education improvement.
What is SAAR-Sameeksha Series?
SAAR stands for Smart Cities & Academia towards Action & Research initiative.
It was launched in 2022 to initiate 50 impact assessment research studies on Smart Cities Mission.
Key Findings of Impact Assessment Studies
- Education: In 71 smart cities, 9,433 smart classrooms were established, leading to a 22% rise in student enrollment from 2015-16 to 2023-24.
- Women’s safety: Over 59,803 CCTV cameras were installed, and evidence-based policing was done through the Integrated Command Control Centre. For example, in Nagpur, there was a 14% decline in the crime rate after installing a surveillance system.
- Environment improvement: City forest (Indore), eco-parks (Chandigarh, Bengaluru) and rejuvenated water bodies (Coimbatore, Mangaluru) were created.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding PM-ABHIM (PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission):
(1). It is a Central Sector Scheme.
(2). It aims to fill the gap in health infrastructure, surveillance, and health research spanning both urban and rural areas.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, the Delhi High Court ordered signing an MOU between the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Delhi Government to implement PM-ABHIM.
What is PM-ABHIM?
- It stands for Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. It was launched in the FY 2021-22 Budget as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Its objective is to fill the critical gaps in the health infrastructure, surveillance, and health research in urban and rural settings.
- Important components: Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs); Rural Health and Wellness Centres; Block Public Health Unit; Integrated Public Health Labs; Critical Care Hospital Blocks.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Fishing Cat:
(1). It is found mainly in the Sundarbans, Himalayan foothills along the Ganga and Brahmaputra valleys, and the Western Ghats.
(2). It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(A). 1 only
(B). 2 only
(C). Both 1 & 2
(D). Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Context: The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, is launching India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project at the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Fishing Cat
- It is a medium-sized wild cat species found mainly in the wetlands and marshy South and Southeast Asia regions.
- In India, it is primarily found in the Sundarbans, Himalayan foothills along the Ganga and Brahmaputra valleys, and the Western Ghats.
- It is a nocturnal hunter that preys on fish, frogs, snakes, birds, etc.
- It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Q9. “Exercise Surya Kiran,” an annual joint military exercise, is conducted between India and which of the following countries?
(A). Bangladesh
(B). Bhutan
(C). Sri Lanka
(D). Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation:
Context: The Indian Army departed for Nepal to participate in the 18th Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise, Surya Kiran.
Q10. Which two countries are separated by the 38 parallel?
(A). United States and Canada
(B). North Korea and South Korea
(C). North Vietnam and South Vietnam
(D). Egypt and Sudan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Context: Recently, South Korea has been in the news due to a plane crash (Jeju Aeroplane) that killed 179 people on board.
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